Aisha Buhari, Michelle Obama To Receive Special Recognition Awards At Miss Inspire Nigeria Beauty Pageant 2019 In Lagos
” It will be a gathering of invisible women who will be getting the support of the Queen Mother Ngozi Bunmi Osibanjo to facilitate their projects.
“The Miss inspire Nigeria beauty pageant is designed to raise confident, elegant and inspirational women who would use the power of their inner strength and character to provide solutions to some of the challenges facing our country Nigerian”, she said.
On the awards, she said “Our special person of the year award will be going to Dr. Mrs Aisha Buhari for speaking up about her women globally and showing her motherly nature for Nigerian women while our ‘Icon of Innovation Award’ will be going to the wife of former president of USA, Michelle Obama.
There’ll also be legendary achievement award to women who have succeeded immensely in their respective fields while posthumous will also be given to our fallen heroes such as Late Stella Adadevoh for fighting Ebola, Dora Akinyili who championed the course of NAFDAC and also the Late Bimbo Odukoya for her community service and exceptional love for humanity.
In conclusion, she said ” Miss Inspire Nigeria 2019 is aimed at inspiring young girls and women to look away from fashion, vanity, prostitution, drug abuse while they explore their God-given skills and ability to better their lives for themselves and their family at large
The Candidate interview as hosted by Kadaria Ahmed, had the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and VP candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as guests. The interview, although very confrontational from the interviewer’s perspective, had a calm resurgence of knowledgeable and quintessential replies and answers from the PDP candidates. A particular shining star was Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and also the PDP VP candidate.
What stood out, was exactly how he used examples to bring down his answers to the understanding of the man in the street. When he answered questions on the statements Obasanjo made against Atiku Abubakar in the early 2000, he stated that it is a good thing that Atiku has been greatly supported by the same Obasanjo that made the statement; in explaining, he used the VAR system which was used in the last World Cup in Russia, where a referee makes a decision, goes back to look at the VAR and come out to overturn such decisions, after having superior facts.
This analogy was received with great applause across the viewership of the interview, with twitter comments being all positive. On his integrity while as Anambra Governor, Peter Obi asked a question; that he left N79bn for Anambra State in three different banks. He asked Kadaria to state any other Governor who has done that before. This means that even though he moved Anambra from 28th to 1st in education, he still saved money and made huge investments for the state. Attention was given to the manner Peter Obi complemented Atiku technically and administratively, in stark contrast to the duo of Buhari and Osibanjo, where Osibanjo had to explain the questions to Buhari before he could answer them.
On policy formulation, Peter Obi stated that Atiku Abubakar was not thinking about policy formulation; Peter states that “Atiku Abubakar has already formulated the plan, it’s just for him to implement these immediately he gets into office.” A lot of applause came at the time Kadaria accused Peter Obi of deporting beggars to Akwa-Ibom State when he was governor of Anambra State and while at it, Peter Obi stated that he only opposed the deportation of beggars out of Lagos State; including Hausa and Igbo beggars, whom he stood for, and ensured that the then Governor of Lagos State knew it was a wrong move. In fact, he told Kadaria that his wife is from Akwa Ibom State and he does not see a reason why he will deport his own in-laws.
This left the crowd comatose with applause as Kadaria called for a commercial break. Finally, on the issue of leaving APGA to PDP in order to compete in the Federal Level, while Atiku came to his defense, citing President Buhari who had moved from ANPP to CPC and to APC, Peter swept the audience off their feet by saying; “If I have a car that I can’t drive from Onitsha to London, what is bad in driving the car to Lagos and boarding a plane to London?” Thousands of Twitter users have come out to state that the outing was an excellent one and that the candidates deserve to lead Nigeria.
The PDP presidential election campaign recorded one of the biggest victories of its inception as the campaign trail stormed the Oil-rich Bayelsa State and home of the former president of Nigeria; Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The people of Bayelsa came out in their thousands to welcome the party’s presidential candidate; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman; Uche Secondus, and their own son, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Bayelsa is one of the PDP’s strongest holds, as the party usually records 95% and above in the state. The implication however, is that the bridges of the PDP have been repaired and the road to Aso Rock, come May 29th 2019, has been made smoother. The respected statesman, endeared his people to vote massively for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who he has given his unalloyed blessings.
The bigger picture is that President Goodluck Jonathan and the former first lady; Patience Jonathan, are highly revered and loved in the South-South. The region which boasts of about 10 million voters, will always toe the lines of their loved son, Jonathan. This is a plus for the Atiku candidacy, as PDP becomes even sure of 98% in the state and 90% in the region.
It is not news that Nigeria’s oil and gas production falls short of her capacity, and this is a problem. That due process if often not followed in the awarding of oil licenses is a major contributor to this problem because these licenses are granted to companies and elites who lack the requisite technical and financial capacities and consequently fail to develop these assets.
To highlight some of the historical and ongoing problems associated with the current defective oil licensing process, let us briefly consider the notorious and on-going case of the award of Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245 to Malabu Oil & Gas Limited.
The OPL 245 is a noteworthy and profitable oilfield. It is in fact rumored to be one of Africa’s richest oilfields and also, one of the multiple license awards that have been smothered in public debates and discussions. This is as a result of factors such as the reputation of the oilfield, of course; the involvement of former Heads of State, senior public officials and senior executives of international oil companies; the level of the attested and likely fiscal damage to the economy of the country; international reputational damage to Nigeria and the fact that the case has not been sorted out in almost 20 years.
Anyway, let us specifically analyze the flaws in the licensing process at every point, even from the emergence of the company.
Nine (9) days after Malabu Oil & Gas Limited was incorporated, the company was awarded OPL 245. This occurred without the submission of an application form and other required documents stipulated by the laws that facilitate the process. Hence, the first show of illicit exploitation of power.
The owners of the company included Mohammed Sani (alias for Mohammed Abacha, son of the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha); Kweku Amafegha (a fictional character created by Dan Etete, the then Minister of Petroleum Resources, responsible for the award of the license, who is said to have been in violation of Section 436(b) of the Criminal Code Act which, when convicted, would carry a penalty of seven years imprisonment.); and Wabi Hassan (wife of Hassan Adamu, a close friend of General Sani Abacha and one time Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States of America).
Now, although the award of this license was in violation of a number of laws facilitating the process, several international oil and gas companies got involved in the dealings. This subsequently led to the purchase of the rights by Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited for $1.1billion (which still did not follow the lawful licensing process as there was no public bid prior to the award). Concerns were raised in Nigeria and abroad with regards to the source of funds for this payment and this was the beginning of a string of court proceedings against the key parties involved.
The scandal that surrounded the award of the OPL 245 to Malabu Oil & Gas Limited still has a negative impact on Nigeria 20 years after its occurrence. This outrageous wrongdoing has been brought to international light where it has further marred Nigeria’s reputation as a nation where corruption is championed from the highest political offices. This has led to financial downfall and reputational injury which affects Nigeria’s GDP and its ability to attract foreign investment. The impact doesn’t just end there and like any other corrupt practice, it has a significant effect on the standard of living and welfare of the masses.
If Nigeria fails to address the issues in the oil licensing process, the high negative impact on the socio-economic development will remain. There is a dire need to acknowledge and examine the defective areas in the licensing process, in order to utterly prevent situations similar to the OPL 245 scandal. Opportunities must also be accorded to citizens who possess the right and capabilities to be awarded these licenses.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday visited three traders at Kenyatta Market by Adelabu Street, Uwani, Enugu, whose shops were gutted by fire at the wee hours of yesterday to empathize with them and offer them assistance to ameliorate their loss.
Consequently, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who arrived the scene to the delight of the traders and residents of the area, consoled the victims and thanked God that no life was lost.
The governor, therefore, made a donation of N1 million to each of the victims to assist them re-establish their various businesses.
He told the victims that his administration was deeply concerned about the challenges they encountered as a result of the inferno and reassured them that his administration will not abandon them in their time of need.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the governor’s visit, one of the affected traders, Chidiebere Ozoude, who praised God and thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for putting smiles on their faces, narrated that they received distressed calls that their shops were being gutted by fire, adding that the men and officers of the state fire service were contacted and they helped to put out the fire.
According to her, “Our governor (Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) came to our aid. He came to console us. He paid us a visit and gave us something for a start. He equally saw our goods that were burnt and gave us N1 million each. My prayer for the governor is that he is a good man and God will equally reward him especially in this forthcoming election”.
Mrs. Jones Ngozika, who identified herself as a staff of Orazulike Trading Company, adjacent to the affected shops, also prayed for Gov. Ugwuanyi “that this year’s election, he is going to win and no shaking”, adding that “more good things will follow him”.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Kenyatta Market Traders Association, Hon. Chinweuba Igwesi, who said that “we have not experienced this type of incident before”, disclosed that “the fire service worked tirelessly to ensure that the fire was quenched, by the special grace of God”.
According to him, “if not that the owners of the shops were living far away, the fire would have been quenched immediately the fire service arrived. When we were about to break the shops, we found out that some of the irons were shocking due to electric contact. We called the attention of the EEDC, they came that night and disconnected the light. In fact, Enugu State is really in the hands of God. That made us to break the shops and immediately, we quenched the fire inside the shops”.
EKITI PDP HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE ARRESTED FOR FRAUD IN LONDON The London Metropolitan Police arrested a Nigerian businessman, Otunba Lekan Akinyele on the 24th November, 2018 for his alleged involvement in investment fraud and money laundering. Otunba Akinyele was arrested at London Paddington Station following complaints that he had swindled many unsuspecting people of funds running into millions of British Pounds. Akinyele, who is a candidate for elective office in his home State of Ekiti, introduced himself to his victims as “Tony Woods” claiming to be a South African investment agent. His fraud and money laundering schemes involved several accomplices top amongst which is his London based wife who goes by the name of "Stephanie". One of the pictures of his arrest at the Train Station show him trying to cover his face but his face is clearly visble in another one. In a video of the incident, one of the arresting police officers can be heard reading him his rights and asking him if he wanted his legal representative to be present during his questioning.
The bubble burst for Akinyele when the funds invested with him failed to yield the promised dividends leading his “investors” to raise serious queries. This led to discoveries that all documentation including bank statements, custom papers and investment certificates provided by the so called “Tony Woods” were false documents. When confronted by his victims, Akinyele went underground. Consequently, criminal complaints were made against him leading to him being arrested by the London Metropolitan Police. He was taken in for questioning and released on bail pending further investigations. It is however reported that he jumped bail and fled back home to Nigeria where he is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ekiti State House of Assembly Efon Constituency seat at the elections scheduled for March 2nd, 2019.
Investigations in Ekiti State revealed that Otunba Akinyele is a flamboyant politician who presents himself as a philanthropist to people in his Efon Alaaye hometown. Over the last two years, he has brazenly been flaunting his ill-gotten wealth, acquiring several chieftaincy titles, buying numerous vehicles for people and giving large sums of money to persuade them to vote him into office in the Ekiti State House of Assembly. Although he has no credentials or work experience to recommend him for the office, Akinyele proudly asserts that with the huge treasure chest he has at his disposal, nothing will stop him from winning the election. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the London Metropolitan Police has sought the assistance of Interpol to have him arrested and extradited to London where he will be charged to court on several counts of investment fraud, money laundering and misdemeanor bail jumping
Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, an Nsukka-based support group for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Project 2019 and Beyond for Gburugburu, yesterday launched its first chapter outside the shores of Nsukka, at Aninri Local Government Area, as jubilant people of the agrarian council, led by Senator Ike Ekweremadu reiterated their unflinching support for the governor's re-election in March.
Speaking, the founder of Project 2019 and Beyond for Gburugburu, Chief Patrick Omeje, jnr, (who led hundreds of its members from Nsukka to grace the colourful occasion) and the Director-General of the newly inaugurated chapter in Aninri LGA, Mrs. Amaka Alinta Oriaku, applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi's giant strides in the state and reassured the governor of their firm commitment to his re-election.
Other speakers, such as the Senator Ekweremadu, who is the Enugu West Senatorial zone candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River Federal Constituency and the PDP candidate for the seat, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Ezekiel Chukwu and the Party candidate for Aninri Constituency, Chinedu Otaka, among others, congratulated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his recent well-deserved awards by leading national dailies as their Governor of the Year for his accomplishments and uncommon leadership style.
They told him not to bother coming to Aninri LGA to campaign as they will give him their 100 percent votes.
They appreciated the vision behind the export of the support group from Nsukka to Aninri, stressing that it goes a long way to prove that Gov. Ugwuanyi is the most popular and acceptable leader in the history of Enugu State.
Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God and 2019will surely end in Praise. #amokelouis
....As Delta women kick against the suspension of CJN
Wife of the Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Dr (Mrs) Jennifer Douglas-Abubakar on Saturday led thousands of Delta State women to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria, calling on Nigerian women to be courageous and rise in defence of the nation’s democracy despite the current political tension in the country generated by the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr Justice Walter Onnoghen and the swearing in of a new one, Justice Ibrahim Tanko.
Dr Douglas-Abubakar, while praying for the oneness of the nation and peaceful general elections in Asaba, said, the country could not afford to go to war, despite all provocative tendencies of the current Nigerian Presidency.
She urged the women to rise up in defence of the Nigeria's hard won democracy through prayers and casting their ballots come February 16 for the Presidential candidate of her husband, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
According to her, "It is not an easy journey. They will try to derail us. They will try to make us afraid. They will try to confuse us. We should not be afraid. God is our guiding light. He will show us the way. Whatever our religion is, either Christian or Muslim, we need to pray for our nation. We need to pray for our nation because so many blood has been spilled. We must pray for our nation because our nation is about to fall apart. We need to pray to God to hold it together. "We need to pray for the future of our children and the future of Nigeria. We do not want war. We want to be together. I am crying to my Lord. Women, you need to come en masse and vote February 16. Be courageous. We need to come out and vote, and vote for Atiku/Obi. Without your vote, we will not get to the Promised Land. You need to bring out your children. You need to bring out your husbands, sisters and relatives."
Dr (Mrs) Douglas-Abubakar, while eulogising the steadfastness of the wife of Delta state Governor, Dame Mrs. Edith Okowa, also appreciated the women for turning out in their numbers, saying that "even in our confused state, you were still steadfast. I thank you very much."
On her part, wife of the vice presidential candidate, Mrs. Margaret Obi, explained why the scheduled town hall meeting for the women in Delta state was at half mast, saying PDP had earlier canceled all planned activities, in solidarity for the dying democracy.
Wife of Delta Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, in her remarks, said the women in Delta state would not be deterred by the antics and highhandedness of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), adding that, "everything has been committed to God's hands" and mobilization of women would continue all over the State.
Dame Okowa called on the women and youths of Delta state to trust in God and not money, man or security agents.
She admonished them to shun violence, stressing that any enemy that intends to rig the election will get drowned. Reading from the Holy Book, Dame Okowa said: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."
On her part, wife of the National Chairman of PDP, Deaconess Ene Secondus led the women in a series of fervent prayers, calling on them not to lose faith. She added that they have thrown their weight in support of the men and are against the suspension of the Chief Justice Onoghen.
She averred that it is women that will deliver the anticipated victory come February 16, thus admonishing them to hope in the Lord for unity and restoration.
"We the women of Delta state are saying no to the swearing in of a new CJ. We will pray to God to do mysterious miracle and every Pharaoh shall be brought down. APC has been given quit notice."
The well attended event had PDP women leaders and women from the twenty five local government areas in Delta state as they turned out in masses to drum their support for the Atiku/Obi Presidential ticket.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State receives The Sun Governor of the Year 2018 Award. Dedicates it to God and the good people of the Enugu State. #amokelouis
Nigerians have never been united in a course as they have been, in rejecting the purported and illegal suspension of the CJN, Walter Onnoghen. Reputable public analysts believe that the move which is largely dubbed illegal in the constitution, is just to show massive force, to give voters impression that the 2019 election will be rigged whether or not they vote. As such, the end game is to dissuade voters from coming out on 16th February.
However, Nigerians who have lost 20.9m jobs, 20,000 citizens to violence, all under Buhari, are unwilling to fall for this drama, as they are more than resolute to combat this tyranny till the end.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, recipient of The Sun Governor of the Year 2018 Award, arrives venue of The Sun 16th Annual Awards ceremony in grand style amid excitement from teeming supporters and adminiers ....
Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. #amokelouis
President Muhammadu Buhari was in the South East States of Enugu and Anambra to commission the burial ground of Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, and as well solicit for votes. After a welcome from the APC members in Enugu, the president sped off for his engagement in Anambra, where he spoke to people present.
People wanted to know why he did not appoint any Igbo man into any office across the security apparatus of the country. The president stated that it was because he made his appointments based on merit. This has left most Igbos questioning the appointments, since for the sake of Federalism and inclusion, cut off marks are reduced in South Eastern States, to accommodate Northern friends and brothers.
An Igbo person who was interviewed but chose to remain anonymous, stated that “it is not okay is to label more than 30 million people as ‘not good enough’.” The campaign ended, but the trails are yet to heal, so says many onlookers.
The Campaign of the APC suffered great blow in Enugu when President Buhari touched down the Coal City State. Unfortunately, the stadium that was supposed to be used, was totally empty, except for few APC faithful.
The President had to leave fast for Anambra where they used a smaller venue. Recall that the region has suffered lots of marginalization in the hands of the APC, including the killings and herdsmen crisis in the state.
It becomes pertinent that the APC should plan their handover since the circle of rejection is completed.
Enugu women reiterate massive support for Ugwuanyi's re-election
... I've never seen a gov like him, says PDP BOT member
The women of Enugu State have reiterated their support for the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, pledging to work harder to ensure his landslide victory at the poll.
Rising from a Town Hall meeting organized by the women wing of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was graced by Gov. Ugwuanyi, the excited women commended the governor for his commitment to their wellbeing and the giant strides his administration has recorded so far in the state.
They described Ugwuanyi as the most women-friendly governor in the history of Enugu State and promised to continue to canvass vigorously for votes in favour of the governor and the party, in their various polling booths and ensure that the votes count.
Speaking earlier at the colourful and well attended event, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP and former Nigerian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau, Amb. Mrs. Justina Eze, charged the women to remain committed to Gov. Ugwuanyi's re-election and play their leading role as the most influential factor in the family.
The PDP chieftain stated that Gov. Ugwuanyi has continued to cater for the needs of the women, disclosing that he has performed creditably and demonstrated the political will and commitment to the advancement of peace and good governance in the state.
She added that Gov. Ugwuanyi is a humble and compassionate leader, who remembers the needy and downtrodden and relates well with everybody irrespective of class, religion or political leaning, saying:"Since I ventured into politics, 40 years ago, I have never seen a governor like Ugwuanyi".
Amb. Eze, told the excited women that their choice of Gov. Ugwuanyi as their governorship candidate in the forthcoming elections was a welcome development that will yield more fruits for them, accordingly.
Her words: "If you know all the good things he (Ugwuanyi) has been doing for us, this is the payback time with our massive votes".
Other speakers at the event, such as the member representing Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Stella Ngwu; former Minister of Aviation and PDP BOT member, Amb. Fidelia Njeze; Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji and State Party Woman Leader, Mrs. Vera Ezeugwu, lauded the governor's leadership qualities and his contributions to the upliftment of the wellbeing of the women of the state and reiterated their firm resolve to intensify efforts towards the governor's re-election.
The highly elated women expressed delight at the presence of the governor at the event, discribing it as a demonstration of humility and passion for their wellbeing.
Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi emphasized the importance of women in politics and governance and appreciated their tremendous support for his administration and his re-election bid.
The governor who reiterated his determination to advance the welfare of the women, urged them to take the message from the Town Hall meeting to the grassroots where the majority of the electorate reside.
2019 will surely end in Praise for Enugu State is truly in the hands of God. #amokelouis
There are many watchers of this election campaign who are already seeing the desperation of the Buhari campaign, with regards to the vote of the South Easterners (and of course the South-South that made up the traditional Eastern Region). But let us concentrate on the Igbo of the South East. IPOB has mounted a campaign to boycott elections in the South-East. But the South East will vote in this election. Because not to vote gives undue advantage to Buhari, and many are those who wonder if IPOB is deliberately being recruited clandestinely to suppress South Eastern votes in order to give the Buhari campaign a numerical advantage.
Now, Nigerians must pay attention at the subtlety of the recruitments: first, at least two Governors of the East are working almost for the Buhari campaign, particularly Governor Obiano of the APGA. The party of Ojukwu spinned into a crisis when, inexplicably, the fortune of this party, with the promise of turning out the votes in Imo and Abia in this election, was radically subverted when a known Buhari ally, like Ararume was handed the party’s gubernatorial ticket “from on high” in Imo. Basically, Willie Obiano destroyed Ojukwu’s party in Igbo land, and has allied it with the APC.
APGA is as a result permanently dead in the South East. Second, Hope Uzodinma, the former PDP senator who crossed over to become the APC’s gubernatorial candidate for Imo is a man with a uniquely dark and interesting past. But now, his political fortunes are to be determined on the strength of his campaigns for Buhari in the South East. Recently he declared that the Igbo had met and decided to vote Buhari. That is an egregious lie. The South East will not vote for Buhari. Even the enticement of building the Second Niger Bridge, which his spin-doctor, Lauretta Onochie said will be the gain of the Igbo if they voted Buhari will not sway the Igbo.
In fact, the Igbo now say, “if you like, build the bridge, if you do not like, do not build the bridge.” The Second Niger Bridge has been used to blackmail the South East for too long. Perhaps not building the bridge might finally compel the South East to begin to invest in river-transportation, through the Niger to the Atlantic. If the bridge cuts off, the Easterner should then face southwards towards life in the Cameroons, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, and on to Namibia’s Walvis Bay and the entire Cape of Good Hope.
Where one door closes another opens. So, if the Federal government likes, let them not build the Second Niger bridge. Let them cut off the East from the West African corridor, and divert the energy of Eastern business to the Central West African corridor. The ultimate loss will be to Nigeria’s economy. The Second Niger bridge is frankly not a gift to the Igbo. It will be Nigeria’s gift to itself. Building the Second Niger bridge no longer has electoral value, because it is not only the Igbo that would cross that bridge. So, yes, the Igbo of the South East will not vote for Buhari, even if he builds the Second Niger bridge.
They will not vote for Buhari because the Igbo have no respect for him, and the general Igbo electorate do not like Buhari, and their reasons are quite many. First, the Igbo regard Buhari as an incompetent man with inferior capacities. They saw through his “integrity myth.” They have never trusted his politics of primordial ethnocentrism. And they have no regard for his intellect or lack thereof. The Igbo are very cosmopolitan people. They judge a man by his real character, and not by where he comes from, or what he pretends to be, and Mr. Buhari, has pretended much, and presented a devious and fictitious face that belies his true self. Buhari began his presidency on a very dark and predictable note: he did not disappoint the Igbo. He said, basically, “I shall discriminate between those who voted overwhelmingly for me and those who just gave me 5% of their votes.” And true, Muhammadu Buhari has corrupted the Nigerian system of selection, through an official use of nepotism. Nepotism is corrupt practice.
This makes Muhammadu Buhari, perhaps the most corrupt president since the foundation of Nigeria, for there has never been any other time, when nepotism, the corrupt practice of favoring one’s closest kin and allies in the circulation of privilege has assumed such brazen prominence in public affairs. Under this president, the corrupt practice of nepotism was not only elevated to state policy, but it became the central lynchpin of the Buhari government and his parochial agenda. This president is not a Nigerian nationalist, he is a revanchist Fulani. And that is the judgment of history. Buhari’s “integrity myth” has been shattered. Blown to smithereens is his claims of incorruptibility.
This president, said his opponent, Mr. Atiku Abubakar, is a very corrupt man. Of course, Buhari’s party and supporters, and Buhari himself has been loud in calling Atiku and his party, the PDP corrupt for a long time. But Atiku Abubakar responded, and laid out the facts about Muhammadu Buhari’s corrupt history and past which revisionists have attempted to sweep under the carpet. This of course has rattled Buhari himself, who responded through his “chichidoo” –Garba Shehu, that Atiku’s allegations and is call for Nigerians to confront Buhari will “bring down the roof on everybody.” Well, at every key point of Buhari’s public career, his name has been associated with high corruption. His name featured prominently in one of the biggest financial scandals ever recorded in Nigeria, the missing N2.8 billion (now valued at N1.8 Trillion) from the NNPC accounts in the Midland Banks for which he was indicted in an investigation of the Nigerian senate then led by the late Olusola Saraki, the father of the current senate president.
His appointment to Petroleum Trust Fund as Chairman by the Abacha regime was equally riddled with corruption. For a man who has made a career of “anti-corruption,” and who presents the face of probity, all his true involvements in Public office have been marred by personal incidents of corruption and scandal, which his small but vocal supporters often try to sweep under the carpet. The point with Buhari on this issue of corruption is that what you see is not always what you get. And his opponent in this election has been bold in taking down Buhari’s claim by pointedly accusing him of corruption in spite of all the hokum about this president’s quite extraordinary claims. If Buhari is so not corrupt, and if he is all that effective as an anti-corruption president, the most alluring fiction on whose grounds he ran for president, how come four years later, Nigeria is still running a very corrupt system? Why is there still corruption in his government? Why hasn’t Nigeria changed substantially? The government is even more opaque and shady.
The president appointed himself the Minister of Petroleum. Nigeria’s oil operations is still without transparency. No one knows how much Nigeria is really making from oil. Contracts and appointments at the NNPC are still shady as hell. This president has enriched his family and associates using the worst kind of prebendal tactics according to his increasingly bold critics. Allegations of the corrupt use or misuse of procurement procedures against Buhari’s son-in-law, Junaid Muhammad, whom this president appointed to the sleaziest cash cow ever created in Nigeria, the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) is only one of the strings of corruption charges, including the recent corrupt acquisitions of Etisalat and Keystone Bank, which has been leveled against Muhammadu Buhari. Now, the Igbo will not vote Mr. Buhari because he fires off a shot in the bushes, and comes out to the road nearby to ask, “who fired the shots?!” He is not a man they can trust. He is not a man of integrity, even though he has been falsely donned with the laurels of that virtue by his spin-doctors.
A slippery, deceptive, and Machiavellian character might appeal to some people, but the Igbo saw through Muhammadu Buhari a long time ago, took a stand, and they made a choice not to vote for him which has proved quite prescient. It will be immoral to vote for Buhari in this election, because under him, Nigeria has broken in ways never seen before. Poverty now travels Nigeria with cudgels. Nigeria is far more insecure than Buhari met it four years ago. Buhari’s brazen disregard for other people, particularly the South-Easterners, evidenced in his sustained pattern of discrimination in the last four years against them threatens Nigeria’s national security far more than any other time in Nigeria.
The Igbo do not expect justice in the court of the judges appointed by Buhari, or at the hands of the mostly second-rate policemen recruited by Buhari. Buhari’s intention might be to push the Igbo to a fight. And he may indeed have his fight. There is no doubt that if Buhari is elected again, the Igbo will confront his administration more directly, more defiantly, and in ways that will force Nigeria by all means necessary to either to enforce Igbo citizens right in Nigeria, or disintegrate. And that will be Buhari’s legacy: he will be remembered as either the last president of Nigeria, or as the man who fought the Igbo, and failed because the Igbo will still be there, when Buhari leaves the stage permanently, and he will leave the stage. Even if by some mistake he wins this second term, the Igbo will survive him, but he will be remembered as the worst, most incompetent man to govern Nigeria as president. That will be the judgment of history. People will look at his image and laugh at Nigeria, about how such a physically sick, and not too bright man ever was allowed to govern a great country.
Days after a mid-drama reported to have played out at Lagos State Police Command between CP Imohimi Edgal, and Commissioner of police, Explosive and Ordinance Department (EOD), Kayode Egbetokun, over handing over of office, personnel have begun to express feeling of no confidence on the CP, who they claimed has tactically started going after their colleagues alleged of supporting his recent redeployment out of the state.
Their fear of the CP, since his return to the state, was centered on an alleged recent hand-pick redeployment of officers who were said to had expressed personal views on Edgar’s redeployment out of Lagos.
The policemen fear came barely a week after Egbetokun, who was expected to replace Edgal, resumed at the command for commencement of operations, but was prevented by the CP, arguing that the signal that announced his redeployment has been reversed.
Before embarking on the alleged tactical moves, Edgal, after his return, visited various formations including Rapid Response Squads (RRS) where he tasked personnel to re-dedicate selves towards boosting standard of security by going after any criminal in the state.
But against the CP’s visit to the formation were reported unconventional redeployments which had brought palpable fear among policemen in the state.
Aside those already redeployed, The Guild gathered that the commissioner has also commenced compilation of another fresh list of officers to suffer same fate after their stance on his redeployment.
The Guild gathered that about seven District Police Officers (DPOs) have been allegedly redeployed without official signal to the posting; rather, they learnt about the development through radio connected to all police stations.
According to sources close to the CP, the tactical move was to ensure Edgal removes policemen loyal to Egbetokun from the system.
One of the sources closed to the command disclosed to The Guild that officers were marked as loyalists of Egbetokun, linking their visit to the command on Tuesday to mean otherwise .
Through phone, the source disclosed the CP first target was a police women, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Yetunde Cardoso, identified as loyalist of Egbetokun, transferred from the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID) to Area ‘L’ Command in riverine axis.
The source hinted that Cardoso must have been redeployed due to her relationship with Egbetokun, adding that, the CP went as far redeploying the woman personal assistance, also to the riverine axis of the state.
Another police officer at the State Command disclosed that the DPO of Ogudu, who was never at the command during the mid-drama nor visit the command after Edgal redeployment was announced, also suffered same fate.
The source disclosed that there was never an official signal from the command on DPO’s redeployment, rather, he learnt of his new post through the command central radio, an announcement that caused panic within the station.
A policeman, who was not affected by the move, explained to the Guild that redeployment in Nigerian Police was normal and were often embarked upon to boost security.
But for another officer, such development could have different thing should such action be carried out to witch-hunt officers.
When calls were put through to the affected officers to have their reactions over the matter, they declined to comment, saying, their status do not have privilege to discussing with newsmen.
Meanwhile, Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Chike Oti, who spoke contrarily to the allegation, debunked the assertion, claiming that the Commissioner could never embarked on such, rather has majorly concentrated on policing within the state.
Oti stressed that redeployment of personnel was an internal affairs that does not concern the public, saying, any officer panicking must have embark on an act against the law.
Atiku was in FIVE States on Tuesday (six, if you count abuja), came to Lagos on Tuesday night, had more meetings on Tuesday night; then woke up Wednesday morning to an 8am strategy meeting. Then he went to a 10am economic interactive session, had FIVE interviews with leading international media (Reuters, BBC world, BBC Hausa, Bloomberg and Financial Times). Then, went on to another meeting with leading lights of the creative industry. At 7pm, he met with Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria. And, finally, at 11.25pm, he flew out on British Airways to London, on his way to Washington DC.
Thirty three hours after landing in Washington, Atiku flew out on a 10 hour 30 minutes flight direct to Abuja to attend the debate of all presidential candidates, only to learn that Buhari did not turn up.
Conversely, Buhari went from Warri to Kaduna, fell down twice, and then said his schedule is too hectic to allow him debate........... and he is busy resting down the road in Aso Rock.
We came here for a Presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar can not challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of the affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies. After all you cannot shave a man's head in his absence. I do not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend himself. As a leader and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let me first apologise to all Nigerians, my fellow candidates and the moderator for the the APC Presidential Candidates absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.
Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator Mark Sugar and with apologies to all Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari's absence.
I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.
Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
With less than 30 days to the general elections, what do you make of the preparations of the political parties especially the two major ones–All Progressives Congress (APC ) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?
You can see that the PDP has demonstrated some level of seriousness and determination unlike the APC which 90 per cent of its hope rests on their plan to rig and manipulate the election. From all indications, body language, action and inactions, there is a clear proof that there is an attempt to rig the process before the main election. So, it is left for Nigerians to decide whether they want to continue their lives like this under the APC administration or they want a real change in their lives. We should all forget about this life of pretence. It is either Nigerians decide they want a proper change on how to move the country forward or continue like this. As you can see, the country is dead completely. We either move forward or remain where we are so that at the end, the country would collapse on our hands. At that stage, we cannot hold anybody responsible but to blame ourselves. With this election, we have another opportunity to do it right.
If the government in power is determined to rig the election, do you think there is much the people can do?
We have done it in the past during the dark days of the military regimes. The only worry I have is that the progressives are no longer united the way they used to be in the past. It is unlike the dark days when we were all out to clamour for democracy. Many of us were part and parcel of that struggle. We had a common rallying point with many of our other senior colleagues in the persons of late Pa Anthony Enahoro, Prof Wole Soyinka, late Beko Ransom Kuti, late Gani Fawehinmi and so on. Some of them are not alive today but as young men that time, we worked with them to have the democracy that all of us are enjoying today. But unfortunately, when the military left power and went back to the barracks, we did not know that people who do not have the interest of the public at heart have taken over the leadership of the country. That is why we are suffering today. In this coming election, we will ensure that we mobilise the people to prevent the manipulation of the electoral process. We will achieve that with the support of the international community and with God on our side. The God we worship does not sleep and he watches over the state of affairs in the country. God will not allow His people to continue to die in the hands of those who do not mean well for the country.
You have continued to harp on the alleged plans to rig the coming poll but President Buhari has said for the umpteenth time that one legacy he would like to bequeath to the country is a free and fair election. Don’t you trust him?
We have not seen him demonstrate that willingness to bequeath that legacy to the country. We saw the case of Ekiti where all manner of promises were made to Nigerians and all sorts of things happened in that election. The election, despite the promise of making it free and fair was rigged massively. In the case of Osun, people came out enmasse and voted who they wanted but it was obvious that the APC was desperate to rig the election and they did just that. They overwhelmed the whole state with over 40,000 police officers but when Zamfara is burning, there are not enough police officers and other security agencies to contain the situation. Borno is burning; Katsina is burning and just the other day, former Chief Justice of the federation was attacked at a gunpoint but unfortunately they could not succeed in adopting him. In many parts of the country today, the menace of crime, insurgency, kidnapping and all sorts of crimes is so high that nobody is sure of sleeping and waking up the next day. With this kind of situation, I am sure Nigerians are sick and tired of promises that will never be fulfilled. From the beginning of this government, there is no time they made a promise and fulfilled it. Let us not as Nigerians continue to remain as cowards who cannot take their destinies in their hands. We should not leave power in the hands of those who do not see leadership as a call to serve but furthering their own interests. These are people who are hell bent on bringing anybody who has a contrary view down. Some of us are just living by the grace of God and we can never tell what could happen tomorrow. You cannot run a democracy where you cannot accommodate the views of the opposition. You cannot run a democracy where people who have contributed nothing to the country will just come from nowhere, take over power and make others look stupid. In the international community, things happen every day that do not portray us in a good light.
Even though some could claim that President Buhari’s popularity has waned among the people but many insist that the North is still solidly behind him. Do you think that Atiku has a chance against Buhari in the North?
You cannot stay in the Southern part of the country and tell me what is happening in the North. You saw the campaign of the PDP in Katsina State. You saw the crowd there; it has never happened before in the history of campaigns in the country. You are also a witness to what is happening in Kano and you could see the massive turnout there for the PDP in every local government in the state. Are you saying that these people are a rented crowd? That is in North West. There is no doubt that the issue of insecurity that marred the former President Jonathan’s government is worse in this administration that governors on their own open up to say look, we are helpless. The state of the president himself and Borno State are under siege. The governor of Borno State who has been pretending and hiding a lot of things recently opened up and broke down in tears over the level of insecurity in the state. He was at the presidency begging for help. So, what are we talking about? Is it the North Central, North East or the North West? You assume that people have not learnt their lessons. Northerners are not fools. People have come of age. There is a lot of consciousness and education in Nigeria today. So many people are well informed now and that is why you see people moving to the different parties that they believe in. What is happening under this government cannot continue and Nigeria must remain one and united. Under this government, we are more divided than we were in the past. We must ensure that we come together and work for the benefit of all Nigerians. The country is greater than any individual. What is your position to the lukewarm attitude of some PDP governors to the Atiku candidature?
It is unfortunate that it appears some of them are lukewarm and do not see the Atiku candidature as a fight that must be done collectively. Some of them, their selfish interests have beclouded their sense of judgement but some of us are interested in how to get out of the quagmire that we have found ourselves in. If you are a governor, Senator or occupying any position, you can only be that when there is peace in the country. Some of the politicians do not put into consideration that the country’s unity is being threatened. At this point, we need a leader that would be a rallying point in the country. We should not support somebody who sees only a person from Daura as first class citizen. It is the kind of situation we have in this administration but people have come of age and they are determined to take their destinies in their hands. Do you know that the North suffers more than any region in this country today? Even though we have Buhari who is Hausa/Fulani from our region today, the crime rate there is higher and the level of poverty is the highest; insecurity, unemployment among others are higher in the North. The worst case is even the educational sector in the North compared to other parts of the country. That is why we want to rally round a symbol and somebody we believe have the capacity to move Nigeria forward.
What is your reaction to the declaration by the Secretary- General, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani that kidnappings, killings, and hardship are not enough reasons to vote out President Muhammadu Buhari or deny him a second term in 2019?
It is an unfortunate and reckless statement. I hold Mr. Sani in high regard, and high esteem, but it is very sad and laughable that such a statement can come from him. How can any reasonable and right thinking Nigerian say with the present state of insecurity, killings, banditry, and hardship all over the place that Buhari, and APC deserve a second term?
Buhari has shown that he is grossly incapable of leading Nigeria. His leadership of Nigeria in the last three and half years has been a diasaster. Anybody wishing that Buhari should get a second term wants Nigeria to collapse. Buhari is no longer in control, and I believe he has run out of ideas, and that is why hardship, insecurity, and killings have continued under his watch unabated. Nigeria is in big trouble if Buhari comes back in 2019.
It is a pity that people like Sani and others like him will be saying that there is no cause for alarm, and that Buhari is not faring badly because Sani and others can sleep in their homes with their two eyes closed. If Sani and others supporting Buhari and giving him a pat on the back want to have a feel of how bad the situation is in Nigeria today, they should go to Maiduguri, Madagali, Baga, Adamawa, Zamfara or any other part of the country where Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits are operating. They should try to sleep there for a day or two. Not only that, they should also travel on the dangerous Birin –Gwari road in Kaduna where armed bandits have taken over, and are kidnapping and killing innocent Nigerians. It is not that I hate Buhari or APC but the bitter truth is that when compared with the former President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari is a big flop. His administration is a disaster. For anybody that loves democracy , and wants it to thrive in Nigeria, Buhari, and APC should be voted out. They are both a big let down. Buhari came to office on the mantra of change but rather than effecting positive changes, his administration has been deceitful. Nigerians need to change this so called-changer, and his party APC. For Mr. Anthony Sani,I think he should do a deeper reflection on Buhari’s administration. If he should do so, he will realise that Buhari’s government has become a big burden on Nigeria’s democracy. I even doubt whether Sani’s remarks represent the collective views of all ACF members but surely his views is not reflective of the views of the North as a political block. Sani is on his own. For me, Buhari should not stay in power beyond 2019 except he wins in a free and fair election.
The ACF scribe further stated that the recent rating of Nigeria as the third world most terrorized nation should not worry Nigerians but that what Nigerians should worry about is the level of efforts being made by the Federal government to tame terrorism; what’s your take on that?
So Nigerians should not yet worry. So Nigerians should not worry until insurgents run over the country. So, Nigerians should not worry until kidnappers, bandits and armed-robbers overrun the country. Is that what Sani is advocating?Then talking about response or efforts being made to confront these challenges, has Buhari’s government taken any action to confront these challenges? The answer is capital NO, and this is why the security situation is getting worse across the country. The simple truth is that Buhari has been overwhelmed by these challenges. He has run out of ideas. He should go. For us the youths in the North we are mobilsing against Buhari’s second coming. What we are doing again is that we are reaching out to other youths across the country, because the feelers we are getting is that there is a ground swelling of youths across the country who are opposed to a second term for Buhari, and what we are doing now is that we are forming a Coalition of Youth Ethnic nationalities across Nigeria, and through this forum, we will mobilise against Buhari’s second coming. How can anybody justify second term for Buhari when Nigerians are being killed like fowls? Human lives are supposed to be sacred but today under Buhari’s watch, human lives are no longer sacred. Innocent souls are being wasted daily.
The issue of who to support between President Buhari, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has polarized the North, with the ACF backing Buhari, and NEF led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi supporting Atiku, how do you see this development?
It is the Federal Government that is responsible for this polarization. The Federal Government is sponsoring different groups to create the idea of division. They are the ones sponsoring dissident groups. I won’t be surprised that after this interview is published that somebody or group will not come out to say that I’m not speaking on their behalf or representing their interests.
Prof. Ango Abdullahi is a man of honour. I respect him a lot. However, it is unfortunate that the Federal Government is now against him because he is saying the truth to the Federal Government. Before Buhari was elected into office in 2015, Abdullahi was one those that campaigned for him, especially during the Jonathan’s era. But when Abdullahi discovered that Buhari was not living up to expectation, he then decided to be saying the truth. But in saying the truth, Ango Abdullahi became Buhari’s enemy. Buhari’s supporters started attacking him, forgetting that this is a man who was once Buhari’s chief campaigner. But I urge Abdullahi to remain steadfast by continuing to say the truth no matter whose ox is gored. He should not succumb to any blackmail by Buhari’s government. Ango Abdullahi is a man of integrity, and he and NEF have the right to support any candidate of their choice.
What Ango Abdullahi is going through now is similar to what is happening to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
What is happening to Obasanjo?
Obasanjo was one of the ardent supporters of Buhari when Buhari was campaigning to be elected as President of Nigeria. Obasanjo urged Nigerians to support Buhari because by that time, many eminent people including ordinary Nigerians were complaining against former President Goodluck Jonathan who was being accused of being incompetent to tackle corruption, and insecurity bedeviling his government then. Many Nigerians including Obasanjo, and Ango Abdullahi thought Buhari would be a better alternative. There was so much expectation from Buhari. Everybody thought he would perform but surprisingly, reverse has been the case. Buhari has proved to be a big disappointment. He has not lived up to expectation, and that is why people like Obasanjo, Ango Abdullahi who were his initial supporters decided to start speaking out the truth.
Even before Obasanjo started speaking out against Buhari, he met with him in private on several occasions to let him know that he is not performing. He even gave Buhari advice on how to move the nation forward by doing the needful but Obasanjo’s advice was ignored by Buhari and his advisers. Instead of being grateful to Obasanjo for being a genuine patriot by advising him, Buhari and his supporters started attacking the man. I’m saying all these as an insider who was privy to what really transpired between Obasanjo, and Buhari.I had several meetings with Obasanjo where he revealed some of these things to me and my group.
On some of the occasions when we met, Obasanjo analysed to us how Buhari has failed, and he was very convincing in his argument. It is very sad that Buhari’s supporters and his aides have been abusing Obasanjo rather than appreciating him for giving Buhari the right advice. Obasanjo is a patriot who believes in one Nigeria. By advising Buhari on how to succeed that mean he doesn’t want Buhari to fail but his good intention is not being appreciated.
The Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, were at a meeting with the Business community Wednesday, in Eko Hotels and Suites. The meeting had the theme, Getting Nigeria’s Economy Working: A Pragmatic Approach. The business-savvy candidate from the time of launching his campaign has been bent on job creation. He stated earlier that he has created about 45,000 jobs as a private citizen. For many Nigerians, this is enough antecedent to hand over the reins of power to him, considering that every problem Nigeria faces now, can be traced to lack of jobs.
However, Opeyemi Agbaje; the moderator, wanted to know how involved he was in the creation of such plans. The reason is that governments have denied their policies and manifestos in the past. To this, Atiku replied, “This is not the first policy document I’m creating. I want to assure you I was personally involved and participated in crafting the ideas. I worked with the best experts as well.” With this answer, the attendees and indeed other members of the public understood that the aspirant has owned his plans for Nigeria’s economy.
Atiku continued on his experience with policies and documents, “in 2007, when I wanted to run, I worked with experts to produce the Niger Delta Master Plan. When I lost the elections, I handed it over to Yaradua. This document led to the reforms and creation of the Niger Delta Ministry.” On the success and growth of the economy when he was in government, Atiku stated that the secret was that the government always met with the business community and always knew their needs as a result. This led to a 7% economic growth, as opposed to the current 1.8% economic growth rate.
On the gap in infrastructure in the country, Mr. Obi stated, “Fixing Nigeria’s infrastructure must be private sector-led. That is what is obtainable elsewhere. Government does not have the capability to deliver the infrastructure we need now.” Mr. Obi also stated that the idea of allowing government handle infrastructure is behind the debt burden of the economy which in turn reduces money that could have been spent on education and health.
On jobs, which is definitely the biting issue in the country, considering that 2018 saw the nation losing cumulatively 20.9m jobs, Mr. Obi stated that China used MSMEs to drive employment. He stated that small and medium scale enterprises, contribute 60% of China’s economy and Nigeria should learn from them. He had earlier stated that he compares China to Nigeria because they were once as broke as Nigeria, with even more population.
Furthermore, popular actress, Onyeka Onwenu asked about Atiku’s plans for women. Upon that, Atiku stated that he plans on giving 30% of appointment to women and 40% to youths, since they collectively contribute 70% to the population of the country. This is not far from what he has done as a private citizen, given that out of his 45,000 employees, 70% are people 25 to 30 years of age, with half of this population being women. Also, he directed that 80% of loans in a micro-finance bank he runs, be directed to women. He stated that this has led to 92% repayment by the women.
Peter Obi was clear on treating education as an investment, instead of expenditure. He stated that companies who are knowledge-based, make more money than Nigeria. Additionally, Atiku stated that they passed the Universal Basic Education law when he was VP. This law made it compulsory that kids get basic education. As such, he plans on making education a priority, since it is what Nigeria needs. In all of this, the government of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi plan to be watch dogs. Reducing the size and cost of governance is the first way to make progress in governance.
A last minute order that had Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgar Imohimi, announced redeployment suspended, may not had served as a good development among police officers within and outside the state, particularly within public domain, after last week incident reported to had claimed lives.
The action, to politicians of bigwigs, who understand the implication, after a drama over office control ensued between Edgar and Acting Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was earlier directed to take over the command, may be a bad omen for Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the forthcoming election.
In their conclusion, the development was evidence that one of the party’s member was deliberately working against Lagos APC to deliver the state to opposition.
Besides, circumstances surrounding last minute change of order as linked to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, was alleged to have been orchestrated by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, whom was claimed to had monetarily induced immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, his successor, Adamu Muhammed, alongside an undisclosed aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, in order to have Edgar return, back to Lagos police command.
As gathered from Nigerian Police Commission, Ambode was said to had visited Abuja on Monday, not for political business as usual, but to perfect the commissioner’s redeployment reversal, and that N500 million was placed on table in exchange for the deal.
It was also learned that the former IGP connived with his successor, the newly appointed police boss, to make the earlier directives un-effective, on learning that his request for tenure elongation was turned down by the president.
Perhaps, investigation by the Guild after a mild drama between Edgar and Egbetokun at the Lagos Command yesterday further revealed that Ambode’s visit to Abuja was not coincidence with Edgar’s appearance at the force headquarter on Monday, but to work out the latter way back to Lagos.
Through the moves, it was discovered that the governor had since after APC primary election in the state, recently, not been on same page with his party and those who campaigned for him to ensure he wins 2015 gubernatorial election.
It would be recalled that Ambode and the commissioner of police relationship was reported, with the latter been alleged of undermining the state security system to favour the opposition.
The raised concerns against the duo were from the role played by Edgar during primary election and that of free for all encounter among hoodlums recorded during Lagos APC campaign flag-off, the situation of which was linked to breach of security at the venue.
In our exclusive report barely a week ago, the Guild reported that both Ambode and Edgar may be actively involved in undermining the party’s efforts to furnish the campaign venue with needed adequate security.
However, mixed reactions among political parties, over yesterday’s development, particularly from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Lagos, held that Edgar’s redeployment suspension was targeted at aiding electoral manipulation and that the move could put Lagos in bad light during forthcoming election.
Furthermore, they claimed that Edgar may aid violence during election due to his alleged involvement in recent crisis at the Lagos APC campaign flagged off and relationship with Ambode.
For APC members in the state, who separately spoke to the Guild over the action, the embattled commissioner should not be allowed to control police affairs in Lagos and that his return to the state pose danger on lives of people.
A source from the police, who pleaded not to be mentioned considering sensitive nature of the issue, disclosed that Edgar return to Lagos came with price from the state governor, whom he said wanted to retain the commissioner based on personified plans and otherwise moves.
He hinted that the plan to return Edgar to Lagos was perfected after Ambode visited Abuja on Monday and secretly danced to monetary demands of former IGP who had learnt of his tenure elongation denial.
The source added that Idris, who was said to have been lobbying APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, for tenure elongation, backtracked on his earlier directive to redeploy Edgar after Ambode placed on table substantial amount of money.
“The action was as a result of Idris’ expectation that his tenure elongation request would be granted, but met otherwise.
“From what I know, about five people are involve in the process, and Ambode’s fund was shared by Idris, new IGP, and one of the President’s aide.”
Another source from the force headquarters, who also spoke under anonymity, explained that the process leading to Edgar’s redeployment reversal emanated from the presidency in conjunction with Oba of Lagos, Riliwan Akiolu, who was said to have been discreetly supporting Ambode’s moves.
He explained that the plan was to ensure former IGP reverse the order, so as to prevent any suspicion before leaving office, while Muhammed maintains the status quo on Edgar, confirmed to be his course mate, as commissioner of police in charge of Lagos command.
However, a source from Lagos police command indicated that officers from the premises were not satisfied with Edgar’s return and that they believed senior officers at the Force headquarters must have manipulated the process to aid the return.
He stated that some of his colleagues, who had had encounters with Edgar, expressed displeasure after news on the commissioner’s returned filtered in, particularly the superiority display between the commissioner and Egbetokun.
Apart from police personnel within the Command, who expressed displeasure over the action, Lagos APC senior members also condemned the development, alleging Ambode of making moves to deliver the state to PDP.
They alleged that the governor’s body language after suffering defeat during primary election in the state was an obvious indication that he was no longer interested in APC and that he had since been working secretly against the party.
One of the party member from the governor’s office revealed that Ambode had since after his defeat been at par with the state APC and its EXCOs, particularly the party’s governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom was reported to had not enjoyed goodwill from the governor.
He stated that the Ambode had embarked on desperate moves to deliver his office to another party since his party, APC, denied him chance to contest for second term
“Some of us have persuaded him to accept the party’s decision and work with Sanwo-Olu. But he refused and promised to fight on.
“From what I know, there are some people who have wrongly been advising him on reasons he needed to retaliate and ensure the party does not retain the seat,” he hinted.
In another revelation, a civil servant disclosed to The Guild that the state governor had intentionally allowed power crisis within state secretariat to linger than expected after refusing to approve funds for procurement of gas to power the Independent Power Project (IPP), forcing civil servants to leave work earlier than expected.
“The governor has done worst than good lately. I do not understand reasons for his actions. He has deliberately shutdown government because what is the essence of the ministry that is opened for operation and yet the staffs do not have power supply to perform their duties.
“The power supply crisis has lingered for over six weeks without solution in sight. This is part of the punishment he felt he can inflict on us.”
Also in the metropolis, a staff of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), hinted that gridlock had returned without any plan from the governor to ameliorate the challenge which could reduced if larger percentage of traffic lights erected across the state functions effectively.
Another top civil servant, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak, stressed that rather than address gridlock challenge, the governor however directed Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), LASTMA, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) to intensify enforcement machinery across the state.
He said: “85 percent of the traffic lights are down begging for repairs. Also, the streets lights on major and inner roads have malfunctioned. And weeks after, no one is talking about fixing them.
“While we are awaiting plans to address traffic, the governor issued a strict directive to VIO, LASTMA, LAGESC and other enforcement agencies to intensify their activities which can further discredit APC in Lagos.”
In our effort to have clear evidence on the said Ambode’ N500 million and those involve, a reliable source from the APC national leader’s house confirmed the transaction and also listed Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, among people assisting Lagos state governor in working against the party.
He said that leaders from the party were aware of both Ambode and the CP underground countered role against the party but decide to treat it silently and that they may call the governor to order or take necessary action, should he fails to adjust, so as not to allow more damages.
“Tinubu is aware of everything that transpired on Monday in Abuja and he was phoned while Ambode was lobbying with N500 million, to have his friend back to Lagos”.
“Listed of the people within the police, including the former IGP, the new and another person from villa, and others involve, got to him before the deal was completed”, he added.
Asked what the government is doing to boost the economy, the Vice President said: “We started the largest investment programme for social investment in the history of this country. That’s why we have the conditional cash transfers; we are giving the poorest people in our country today N5,000; we are hoping we are able to [help] about one million people. We are doing our school feeding, feeding 9.2 million children every single day in public schools."
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has questioned the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) programme of the Goodluck Jonathan regime, asking: "Who can point to one single beneficiary of the SURE-P scheme?”
Osinbajo said this on Wednesday during the town-hall meeting organised for the presidential and vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation, broadcast live on the National Television Authority (NTA) station.
He also said the Nigerian Government had spent N20billion on the Trader Moni no-interest loan.
Asked what the government was doing to boost the economy, the Vice President said: “We started the largest investment programme for social investment in the history of this country.
“That’s why we have the conditional cash transfers; we are giving the poorest people in our country today N5,000; we are hoping we are able to [help] about one million people.
“We are doing our school feeding, feeding 9.2 million children every single day in public schools.
“Aside of that, the Trader Moni and the Market Moni that we are doing; these are loans to the poorest. Let me give an example: With the trader moni, we are giving two million of the market women loans starting with N10,000... some of them their inventories are not up to N2,000; we give them N10,000. When they pay back, they get N15,000 ... and it goes all the way up to N100,000. For the two million people, all of that is N20billion.”
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the unassuming Governor of Enugu State - a leader with conscience - receives former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and Enugu East Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Government House, Enugu amid jubilation and excitement.
This is former Governor Nnamani's first visit to the Government House, Enugu after he left office 12 years ago.
Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God. #amokelouis
The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, today, bagged the endorsement of South East, South South and Arewa women groups in Lagos. The cosmopolitan city has since come to be a home for all, with every ethnic group being represented. The women group who welcomed the wife of the aspirant, Mrs. Jennifer Douglas Abubakar and Margaret Peter Obi, rallied all available support for the women.
The parley was hosted by Hon. Rita Orji, member representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun constituency in the house of Reps. This gathering is one of a kind, and a way that PDP get onward feedbacks from the grassroots on what they need in governance. The women who were clearly joyous, danced and hailed the candidacy of the PDP, as music and claps rent the air.
Mrs. Abubakar in her speech reminded the women of Alhaji Atiku’s plan to devote 30% of roles in his government to women. It is clear that this plan stems from Atiku’s background, having been brought up by his mother single-handedly. In the past, it was this kind of quota system that gave Honorable Member, Mrs. Rita Orji, the chance to become a member of the House of Representative.
Politics › Aisha Buhari, Michelle Obama To Receive Awards At Miss Inspire Beauty Pagent by OEPHIUS(op): 5:24am On Feb 02, 2019
